Student Spotlights
IU Student Outreach Clinic begins fifth year of providing free care on the near-eastside
Aug. 29, 2013
The IU Student Outreach Clinic recently held an open house to celebrate the start of its fifth year of providing free health care to uninsured and underinsured residents in Indianapolis.
The clinic, located in the Neighborhood Fellowship Church on the near East Side of Indianapolis and sponsored by the IU School of Medicine Office of Medical Service-Learning, began the event with a presentation about its history, current operations and future plans, followed by tours of the facility.
A medical student speaks to a patient at the IU Student Outreach Clinical.
Student organizers noted that since its opening Aug. 1, 2009, the clinic has grown at a rapid rate and has become an important resource for the local community.
"In 2012, there were 1,837 patient encounters, with more than 2,400 total diagnoses," said Janice L. Farlow, an M.D.-Ph.D. student at the IU School of Medicine and medical chair of the IU Student Outreach Clinic. "This is triple the number of patients seen at the clinic from two years ago."
During the first eight months of 2013, Farlow said there were 1,005 medical patient visits, about one-third of which were from new patients. The clinic sees about 35 patients for acute and chronic conditions each Saturday.
"The savings to the community for the free care are immense, and the educational opportunities the clinic provides to future professionals are invaluable," she said. "The clinic is truly a unique gem for the city of Indianapolis, as it represents a collaborative effort between students and faculty of three different institutions spanning multiple professions, connected by a common interest of serving the community."
The clinic also serves as an important hands-on educational opportunity for students. Free medical care is provided by student and faculty volunteers from the IU School of Medicine, in collaboration with students from Butler University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, IU School of Dentistry (who see patients at the People’s Health Center, 2340 E. 10th St.), IU School of Health and Rehabilitation Science Department of Physical Therapy, and the University of Indianapolis Krannert School of Physical Therapy.
The IU Student Outreach Clinic is located in the Neighborhood Fellowship Church.
Students from the IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law volunteer partner with Indiana Legal Services to provide free legal services and resources, and IU School of Social Work student volunteers help by identifying needs, providing information on available resources and offering referrals.
Last year, 1,856 medications were dispensed, and lab work completed was valued at nearly $6,000. Overall dental fees for the free services provided were valued at $45,263.
The IU Student Outreach Clinic is at 3102 E. 10th St., Indianapolis. Patients are seen weekly on a first-come first-served basis, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
For more information, contact freeclinic@iu-soc.org or 317-225-1881.
